Hepatitis

Hepatitis rates are still low in the US compared to other countries, but incidence of this viral disease is increasing. People who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992 should be screened.

Hepatitis Overview

Reviewed: May 19, 2014

Updated: April 9, 2015

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the body's liver through infection by virus. The hepatitis B, C and D viruses can cause chronic hepatitis, which can lead to such complications as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Hepatitis A and E cause gastrointestinal illness which is usually self-limiting.

Common symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and headache among others. Unusual symptoms, such as dark yellow urine or light-colored stools, may also become apparent. However, some individuals with hepatitis do not show symptoms from the condition.

The viruses can be spread in a variety of ways, such as through contaminated food or drink (hepatitis A and E), contact with infected blood, sexual contact with an infected individual or from mother to newborn through birth (hepatitis B, C and D).

Hepatitis A and E typically resolves on its own over a period of several weeks. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with medications like interferon alpha and peginterferon, which both work to slow how quickly the virus multiplies in the body. Antiviral medications such as lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), entecavir (Baraclude) and telbivudine (Tyzeka) can also help. Chronic forms of hepatitis C can be treated with peginterferon used with the antiviral medication ribavirin. Vaccinations are available for prevention of hepatitis A and B.

Hepatitis Symptoms

All viruses that cause hepatitis attack your liver. This could cause flu-like symptoms and make you generally sick to your stomach. Unusual symptoms, such as dark yellow urine or light-colored stools, may also become apparent. However, some individuals with hepatitis do not show symptoms from the condition.

Hepatitis Causes

All forms of hepatitis are caused by viruses. Besides the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses, the Epstein-Barr virus, the herpes virus, parvovirus and adenovirus can also affect the body's liver as hepatitis does.

The disease can be spread in a variety of ways. It can be spread through food and water contaminated by feces from an infected individual (hepatitis A and E), infected blood or contact with infected blood, sexual contact with an infected individual and from mother to child (hepatitis B, C, and D).

Hepatitis Diagnosis

Sometimes, diagnosing hepatitis can be difficult, as symptoms can look like the flu and because some infected people do not show any obvious signs.

If you display symptoms of hepatitis, or suspect you may have contracted the virus, contact your doctor to schedule proper testing. Such testing may include an exam to check your symptoms and look into them thoroughly. It also might include a blood test to check for the virus itself or antibodies to it.

If your doctor is alerted to a presence of the hepatitis C virus through your blood sample, he or she may recommend a liver biopsy (removal of small piece of liver tissue) to test for liver disease. Unfortunately, liver disease may have progressed to a stage of severity or caused irreversible damage by the time it is detected. Therefore, it is important that people who are at high risk of infection be tested for hepatitis C so treatment can be started as early as possible to reduce the risk of damage. People are considered high-risk and should be tested for hepatitis C if they have the following traits:

Have had transfusions of blood or blood products before 1991

Are receiving dialysis

Have had sexual or intimate contact with anyone infected with hepatitis C

Living With Hepatitis

It is important that you see your doctor as soon as you display symptoms of hepatitis or believe you have been exposed to a hepatitis virus. Contact with blood, feces, foreign tap water or contaminated food should urge you to seek proper testing. A blood test will determine if you have been infected.

Recovery and treatment time for any type of hepatitis is extensive, sometimes lasting weeks to months. Those infections that become chronic can last a lifetime. Ask your doctor what you can do to speed up recovery time or give yourself the best chance for a full and healthy recovery. Make sure to follow instructions and take medication as prescribed.

Hepatitis Treatments

Because there are many types of hepatitis, there are many types of treatment.

Hepatitis A typically resolves on its own over a period of several weeks. There is an available vaccine that offers immunity from the condition to adults and children over the age of one year. The CDC recommends routine hepatitis A vaccines for children between 12 and 23 months and for high-risk adults. Immune globulin can help to provide short-term immunity when given before exposure or within two weeks of possible exposure. A bit of extra advice is to avoid tap water while traveling and always keep up good hygiene.

There is a vaccine available for the prevention of hepatitis B which offers the best protection against the disease. All infants, children and at-risk adults are recommended to get vaccinated. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with medications like interferon alpha and peginterferon, which both work to slow how quickly the virus multiplies in the body. These medications also help to boost the immune system to fight off the infection. Antiviral medications such as lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), entecavir (Baraclude) and telbivudine (Tyzeka) can also help. Infants born to mothers who have hepatitis B should receive hepatitis B immune globulin and the hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. Those with acute hepatitis B normally do not require treatment, as the condition is likely to clear up by itself. Those with severe acute hepatitis can be treated with the antiviral medication lamivudine.

Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine available for prevention. To prevent exposure, do not share drug needles or any sort of personal item such as a toothbrush, nail clippers or razors with someone who is infected. Chronic forms of hepatitis C can be treated with peginterferon used with the antiviral medication ribavirin. Acute hepatitis C may resolve on its own within a few months, but if it does not, you should speak with your doctor about beginning treatment.

Hepatitis D also does not have a vaccine, although those with the disease should not receive the vaccination available for hepatitis B. Also, avoid exposure to infected blood and contaminated needles. Don't use personal items from those who are infected. Chronic hepatitis D can be treated with pegylated interferon.

There is no vaccination for hepatitis E. Avoid tap water while traveling and keep up good hygiene and sanitation habits. The condition usually clears up on its own after weeks to months.

Hepatitis Other Treatments

When it comes to fighting hepatitis, preventative measures can be used to avoid the disease altogether. If you are traveling internationally, the CDC recommends avoiding tap water. Specific areas in which to be especially careful are regions where tap water is not chlorinated or where sanitation is poor. Water in these parts can carry dangerous bacteria and germs. Instead, purchase bottled and fully sealed water from a trusted source, not street vendors. You may also boil the water to make it safer to drink. Boiling will kill bacteria and parasites. Travelers' diarrhea can occur from such bacteria as well. High-risk destinations include Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Reduce your exposure to all possible sources of the hepatitis virus if you are not properly vaccinated. Use latex condoms during sexual intercourse to avoid transmission in that form. If you have not been vaccinated, talk to your doctor about which immunizations and vaccinations you might need and are allowed. Do not use drugs, especially those that require needle usage. Do not share any personal items, especially with an individual who is knowingly infected. Personal items include anything from a razor to a toothbrush.Travel safe, and even while at home, keep up the practice of good hygiene and sanitation. Keep yourself clean and wash your hands often.

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